Touching Western songs recommended for high school students: world classics and popular hits

Graduationbenny blanco, Juice WRLD

benny blanco, Juice WRLD – Graduation (Official Music Video)

A moving graduation song that poignantly portrays memories of high school life and personal growth.

This collaboration by benny blanco and Juice WRLD was released in August 2019 and dominated charts around the world.

The music video features many celebrities and depicts the futures of graduating students.

Set to a melody that samples Vitamin C’s classic hit, Juice WRLD’s delicate vocals sing about past friendships, inner struggles, and hope for the future.

Its honest portrayal of adolescent emotions will surely resonate with junior high school students as well.

It’s a song that gives you the courage to take a new step forward.

Stressed Outtwenty one pilots

twenty one pilots: Stressed Out [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

A track that sings about nostalgia for childhood.

It was released in 2015 by the American music duo Twenty One Pilots and won a Grammy Award.

The music video was filmed at the childhood friend’s house of the drummer, Josh Dun.

Wake UpThe Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire – Wake Up (Official Audio)

It’s Arcade Fire’s classic song ‘Wake Up.

‘ It’s a memorable track that feels like a hymn to humanity, also famous for being covered by the legendary David Bowie.

I hope high school students working hard today can feel the nostalgic shades of youth that pervade the song’s overall atmosphere.

MemoriesMaroon 5

Maroon 5 – Memories (Official Video)

Maroon 5 is an American band that has gained worldwide popularity with its wide-ranging musicality and catchy lyrics.

From upbeat tracks that get you moving to heart-wrenching ballads, they can do it all—but the song we’re introducing this time is so sad you’ll want to have a handkerchief ready.

“Memories” is a masterpiece created as a requiem when their longtime manager passed away.

While death may not feel very close to most high school students, parting ways with friends is inevitable for seniors preparing to graduate.

If you’re in your final year, be sure to give it a listen.

Lose You To Love MeSelena Gomez

Selena Gomez – Lose You To Love Me (Official Music Video)

High school is a time full of new discoveries, from part-time jobs to romance.

Along the way, you might go through a breakup or grow distant from friends, and sometimes feel down.

The Western song I recommend at times like these is Lose You To Love Me.

It’s sung by Selena Gomez, a singer-songwriter who’s hugely popular among teenagers.

The lyrics are abstract, so you can relate them to your own experiences.

Be sure to listen while checking the Japanese translation too.

Were All In This TogetherHigh School Musical

High School Musical Cast – We’re All In This Together (From “High School Musical”)

This is the song that appears in the final scene of High School Musical, which aired on television in 2005 as a Disney Channel Original Movie.

If you recreate this scene—where everyone dances in the gym of the high school that serves as the story’s setting—at your own school’s dance event, you might add yet another memory to your album.

California GurlsKaty Perry

Katy Perry – California Gurls (Official Music Video) ft. Snoop Dogg

For high school students, classic Western songs tend to be more recent hits rather than old-time favorites.

That’s why Katy Perry’s 2010 hit—popular even among high school girls—likely counts as a nostalgic classic from their childhood.

It’s a recommended pop track.